The next day Elizabeth woke with a smile upon her face. Jane was in good spirits again now that Mr. Bingley had renewed his attentions to her, her mother had behaved at Pemberley, and she was to wed a most agreeable man. Nothing could spoil this day, not even rain and from her view of the window from the bed, it looked like a beautiful day.
She got ready for the day and met Jane in the hallway heading downstairs to break her fast. Elizabeth put her arm through Jane's, "How are you this morning?"
Jane gave a placid smile then turned to the staircase, "I know what you are thinking, Lizzy, but I do not expect any address from Mr. Bingley."
Elizabeth jauntily tilted her head. "You might not expect any but that does not mean the gentleman in question is not predisposed to deliver them."
Jane glanced at her sister with an admonishing look. "Lizzy, I know you are happy that I have renewed my acquaintance with Mr Bingley, but I have learned to guard my heart around him."
Her happy mood dimmed at those words. "Guard your heart? Jane, you have never stopped thinking about him. You have not been yourself but since he quit Netherfield for London."
Now having descended the steps Jane removed her arm from Elizabeth's. "He is the most amiable man I have ever met, but now that he has renewed his acquaintance will he travel back to London? No Lizzy, it will be nice to converse with such an amiable man but I will go back to Hertfordshire."
Elizabeth had not expected this reaction from her sister. How could Jane not see how sad she had been since Bingley had quit the area? She entered their private sitting room intent on informing Jane of those facts but changed her mind when she saw their parents were already present.
"Oh Jane, my dearest child, come sit by me," said Mrs. Bennet. "We must discuss what you will wear today. I am sure Mr. Bingley will call upon you and you must look good for I am sure he is falling in love with you again!"
Elizabeth sighed as she sat in a chair at the next table with the Gardiners.
"Now you must wear your best dress, the rose one. It brings out your complexion. I will have the maid pay special attention to your hair. Oh, if only she knew the latest styles from London but I am not sure she knows any better. We will have to make do —"
"Sister," said Mr. Gardiner. "Let the girl eat."
Miss Bennet looked askance at the other table. "You do not have four daughters to marry off. Your children are still young. You do not know how my nerves have suffered over the years worrying about my daughter's futures."
Elizabeth sipped her tea, her appetite nearly vanished at the display from her mother. She looked to her father for help but he was reading *The Sun*folded on the table next to his plate.
"Mama," said Jane, "all of my dresses look nice. I will not choose to wear one specifically for Mr. Bingley."
"Oh, do not say such things, Jane! Of course you will dress your best for Mr Bingley. I find the rose one goes well with your eyes but what is his favorite color? Perhaps the green would be best?"
Elizabeth thoughts darted as she tried to grasp onto another topic she could broach to stop this ridiculous conversation, but Kitty broached a new topic first. "Are you going to have an engagement ball, Lizzy?"
Mrs. Bennet's head turned towards Elizabeth's table, her face alight with excitement. "A ball! Yes, yes, you must have an engagement ball and then Jane will dance with Mr. Bingley and he will ask for her hand!"
Elizabeth groaned and looked up at the ceiling.
"We must have new dresses, you cannot go to a ball at Pemberley in the worn dresses you have. Why I believe Mr Bingley has seen you in every dress you have brought to Derbyshire. We will go to the modiste…does Lambton have a modiste?" Mrs Bennet leaned over the table to address Mrs. Gardiner.
She had to do something, her mother was quickly getting out of control. Elizabeth did not dare look at her aunt, who grew up in Lambton and loved the little town dearly. "Mama, there is not a ball scheduled. We cannot order new dresses for a ball we do not know is even going to occur."
Mrs. Bennet waved a hand in the air. "Oh Lizzy, stop your naysaying, of course Mr. Darcy will have a ball. He can well afford it with £10,000 pounds a year!"
Elizabeth closed her eyes and raised a hand to her forehead. Her mother was going to be more insufferable than she already was. She would be very lucky indeed if Mr. Darcy did not decide to call off the wedding with her mother's ill behavior. The very same ill behavior that Mr. Darcy mentioned during his first terrible proposal in Hunsford.
She tried to focus on her breakfast Mr. Gardiner pleaded with his sister to see reason, when a serving maid knocked on the door of their private sitting room. "Pardon me, the parson is here to see you, Mr. Bennet."
Mr. Bennet quizzically looked at the maid over his spectacles. "Well, send him in."
The rest of the room's inhabitants shared inquisitive and puzzled glances at the visit from the parson. They had just seen him at Lydia and Wickham's wedding.
The elderly man robed in his parson's cloak and hat looked quite serious and did not return Mr. Bennet's greeting. "Good morning, Mr. Woodforde. Come join us and —"
"I am here on a matter of serious business, I am sad to inform you. I must speak with you, Mr. Bennet."
Elizabeth grabbed Jane's hand and had the short lived worry that Mr. Darcy was calling off their wedding. But that was ridiculous as he was very much in love with her. But why else would the parson be visiting with serious news?
Mr. Bennet stood after wiping his mouth with the serviette. He motioned to the corner of the room, the only area not occupied.
"I dare say we must go somewhere private, Mr. Bennet."
That statement further heightened the misgivings Elizabeth was feeling into something resembling alarm.
"Is something the matter with my youngest, Lydia? Surely if there had been an accident they would have—"
"Oh, my dearest Lydia! And she just got married too!" Mrs. Bennet's cry almost drowned out Mr. Woodforde's response.
"Calm yourself madam. The news does not concern the recently wed. No, a very serious accusation has been brought to my attention regarding your daughter who is presently engaged to Mr. Darcy."
Elizabeth stared, her mouth agape.
"Against Lizzy?" Mr. Bennet stared at his favorite daughter, then looked back at the parson. "She has always been a model of propriety. No accusation has merit. What is this accusation and who brought it to you?"
"This needs must be a private conversation, Mr. Bennet." The parson looked more severe.
All eyes were still on Elizabeth, who could scarcely believe what she was hearing. Mr. Bennet waved his hand. "There is nothing that could possibly have any truth to it." Then he paused and raised his eyebrows. "Do not tell me you heard of this accusation from a Lady Catherine de Bourgh?"
Elizabeth's eyes darted to the parson who nodded. "Indeed, the noblewoman is ever conscientious and concerned about the souls of those under her stewardship. Even more so her dearest nephew, Mr. Darcy. She informed me of a most serious accusation against your daughter Elizabeth Bennet. Are you sure you want me to divulge this in front of your family?"
She had had enough and stood throwing her serviette down on the table. "There is nothing at all that could be leveled against me, especially not an accusation of improper behavior. And you must be aware—"
The Parson raised a hand. "This is a matter between your father and I. Please, Mr. Bennet, we must go somewhere private. This is not for those of delicate constitutions."
Elizabeth scowled and stepped forward but a hand on her arm held her back.
Mr. Gardiner stood. "Come now, there was no need to treat my niece in that fashion. That was uncalled for."
The parson sourly looked about the room. "Very well, I shall tell you the serious accusation and then I shall do my duty and inform Mr. Darcy that I cannot wed him to this woman."
Elizabeth was sure she must have gasped, but she seemed to be completely out of breath.
"Lady Catherine de Bourgh called upon me with serious news. Her nephew, Mr. Darcy, had been influenced by the arts and allurements of your daughter, Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Mr. Darcy was already engaged to Lady Catherine de Bourgh's daughter, Anne. Therefore this wedding cannot take place, the engagement was entered under false pretenses." The parson leveled a fierce gaze at Elizabeth. "I had heard there was a reason for the rushed engagement and reading of the Banns so soon and with this information, given to me by a noblewoman above reproach, I cannot condone this wedding."
Elizabeth stared speechless as the parson stormed out of the silent room. As the door slammed she fell into her chair, as if all strength had deserted her. Her ears were ringing not from the sudden cacophony of everyone speaking, Mrs. Bennet wailing, chairs scraping against the wooden floor. She felt as if she was in an overstuffed bonnet, words and sounds muddled.
Jane wrapped an arm around Elizabeth's shoulders. Mrs. Gardiner held one of her hands. "This will not stand, Lizzy. I am sure of it. I know how much that young man is in love with you and I doubt that this will stop anything. Do not worry, you will see. All will be right."
She could not speak, could not even seem to move her head. Jane squeezed her other hand. "Lizzy, our aunt is correct, this is a desperate last ditch effort by Lady Catherine de Bourgh to prevent the wedding. Mr. Darcy will not allow that to happen, I have no doubt at all in the matter."
Elizabeth gulped air, and pulled her hands out of their holds. "I cannot breathe. I need to get some air."
"Jane, can you accompany her? I need to help calm down your mother."
She did not quite recall how she ended up outside with her jacket, bonnet and walking boots. It had been a blur of wiping tears. Jane had taken care of her like she was a young child. But now, out of the small town on a road she felt more herself. Most likely because no one was staring at her.
But she could not shake the completely sincerity the parson had uttering the damning words. As if a wealthy noblewoman could have informed the man of the cloth of nothing but the absolute truth, when she well knew it was nothing but the farthest from it.
Well, it has been some crazy days. My key snapped off in the front door when I was leaving to get an upper GI. Then I spent Sunday in the ER for very low blood pressure. Really, I'm trying to get this done fast so I can publish it!
